August 2026 Newsletter

From Summer Travel to School Days: Finding Security in the Transition

Author

Tracey Albrecht
August 12, 2026

The best kind of family reunion. Park time with a brother.

From Summer Travel to School Days

We returned from our Illinois trip on Monday, and school started Wednesday, so this week has felt like a big, beautiful swirl of reunions, travel bags, backpacks, and emotions.

While we were away, I got to see my birth sons, my stepsons, my youngest adopted daughter’s brother, friends from church, and family members I usually only get to hug at Christmas. It was such a gift to be together. At the same time, coming home from a meaningful trip and turning right around into meeting my girls new teachers and then the first day of school can make everyone feel a little off-balance.

Transitions are not always easy, especially for kids who thrive on predictability, or for parents who are carrying the emotional work of helping everyone land softly.

Start Before the First Bell

When possible, we start easing back into school routines before the first day. That can look simple: moving bedtime a little earlier, setting out clothes the night before, practicing the morning flow, or making a list of what needs to go in each backpack.

After a trip, our routine may not look perfect right away, and that is okay. The goal is not a flawless morning. The goal is helping our children know what to expect.

A few small anchors can make a big difference:

  • Lay out backpacks, shoes, and lunchboxes the night before.

  • Make a simple breakfast plan for the first few mornings.

  • Leave extra time so no one has to rush.

  • Keep goodbye routines short, warm, and consistent.

Make Room for Feelings

Back-to-school conversations can easily become all about schedules: What time is pickup? Did you pack your folder? Where is your water bottle?

Those things matter, but feelings matter too.

A child may be excited about school and still feel nervous. They may miss summer, feel sad after saying goodbye to family, or worry about a new teacher, classmates, or unfamiliar expectations. Sometimes kids do not have words for all of that, and it can come out as irritability, tears, clinginess, or resistance.

Instead of trying to talk them out of their emotions, we can offer calm reassurance:

“It makes sense that this feels like a lot. We had a big trip, and now school is starting. I’m here with you.”

Feeling understood does not erase the hard part, but it helps children feel less alone in it.

Create Small Traditions

Children often find security in the little things they can count on. A tradition does not have to be elaborate to be meaningful.

Maybe it is a family breakfast before the first day, a favorite snack waiting after school, a note tucked into a lunchbox, or backpacks lined up by the door the night before. At our house, we like to ask each child at dinner, “What was the best part of your day?” and “What was the worst part?” It is a simple way to hear both the good and hard parts of their day and remind them that there is space for all of it.

Predictable after-school connection time can be especially important. Before homework, chores, or questions, try giving kids a chance to reconnect in a low-pressure way. A snack, a short walk, music in the car, or simply sitting nearby while they decompress can communicate: You are safe. You are home. I am glad you are here.

Celebrate the Small Wins

The first days of school can be exhausting, physically and emotionally. Celebrate the things that may seem small but are actually very big:

  • Getting dressed and out the door.

  • Walking into a new classroom.

  • Trying something unfamiliar.

  • Making it through a hard goodbye.

  • Coming home and sharing even one detail about the day.

For families built through foster care, adoption, blended family relationships, or other complicated connections, transitions may carry extra layers. A school year can bring reminders of changes, separations, and relationships that matter deeply. There is no one “right” way for a child to feel about it.

As parents and caregivers, we do not have to fix every emotion. We can simply offer consistency, patience, and love, one morning, one snack, one small win at a time. Many blessings on your school year or next transition!

IN OUR HOUSE

Visiting with my former Life Group friends and their kids was so refreshing, and reminds me we are held together despite the miles!

Summer Miles and Treasured Moments

In our house, the last two and a half weeks have meant a lot of time in the car, a lot of snacks, a lot of stretching our legs at rest stops, and a whole lot of memories made along the way.

Traveling as a family is not always easy. There are long days, crowded vehicles, changed routines, and tired kids. But somewhere between the miles, the gas-station treats, and the “Are we there yet?” questions, there are moments we never want to forget.

This trip was full of those moments. 

First catch for this big girl! Thankfully my oldest Orion is there to worm and unhook!

One of our girls caught her very first fish with the help of her big brother, Orion. Then, the next day, she caught her second fish with big brother Kai. This time, she had her very own fishing rod and did it herself.

Watching her confidence grow from the first catch to the second was such a sweet reminder that sometimes all a child needs is someone beside them who believes they can do it. And maybe backing out of the way as they cast with that hook!

Fishing with brother Kai, at the lake our rental cabin was on.

Our youngest also decided that playgrounds are best played on while wearing high heels. Because why should a slide, monkey bars, or a swing set keep anyone from looking fabulous? She brought her own kind of confidence and joy everywhere we went.

Nothing says rock climbing like a pair of sparkly heels!

But beyond the fishing, the playgrounds, and the miles traveled, the greatest gift was time with people we love.

We saw family and friends who are not part of our everyday lives since we moved to South Carolina. We shared meals, stories, hugs, laughter, and precious time together. Some of those relationships have history. Some have grown through changes, distance, and seasons we never could have planned. All of them matter.

In our house, we believe family is forever. Family can look many different ways, and sometimes it stretches across states, homes, and seasons of life. Time spent intentionally seeing family and friends is never wasted. It is a treasure.

We came home tired, with laundry piled up and a car that needed to be cleaned out, but we also came home grateful. Grateful for the big brothers who help their little sisters catch fish, for little girls in high heels on playgrounds, and for the people who remind us that love is worth the miles.

Blessings,
Tracey

The last faces we saw before we left Illinois.

The smallest and the tallest, we laughed so hard!

BOOKS I’M READING

The Connected Child

By: Dr. Karyn Purvis, Dr. David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine

If you're parenting a child from a hard place, The Connected Child is one of the books I recommend again and again.

As a new school year begins, it's easy to focus on behaviors we can see. But this book reminds us to look deeper. Fear, anxiety, grief, and past trauma often show up in ways children don't have the words to explain. Instead of asking, "What's wrong with this child?" we're encouraged to ask, "What has this child been through?"

Dr. Karyn Purvis shares practical, research-based strategies for building trust, strengthening connection, and responding with both compassion and consistency. It's a powerful reminder that children heal best when they feel safe, seen, and deeply loved.

Whether you're new to foster care or have been parenting for years, this is one of those books you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.

👉🏻 Find The Connected Child here: https://amzn.to/4vvoxig

FEATURED BLOG POST

When a Foster Child Leaves Your Home

Foster care is filled with transitions, and some of the hardest ones come when a child leaves your home. Even when you know it is the right next step, saying goodbye can bring deep grief and big emotions.

In this post, I share our experience with our first foster placement leaving and the reminder that loving a child well means their story matters, even when we are only part of it for a season.

If you are navigating the heartbreak of a goodbye, I hope this encourages you to remember that God sees your love, your sacrifice, and every moment you poured into that child’s life.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

This is a digital PDF download. No physical product will be shipped.

Helping Kids Navigate Big Feelings Through Creativity

Transitions can bring big feelings, especially for children who have experienced change, uncertainty, or new environments. As summer comes to an end and a new school year begins, many foster and adoptive children may be carrying excitement, anxiety, questions, or emotions they don’t always have the words to express.

Sometimes the best way for kids to process those feelings is through creativity, connection, and simple moments of calm.

That is why we love the Summer Craft & Activity Pack. While it was created with summer days in mind, these activities are also a great resource for helping children slow down, express themselves, and create a sense of comfort during seasons of transition.

These are not just activities to keep kids busy. They are opportunities to sit together, talk, create, and build connection during moments when children may need extra support.

Inside the Summer Craft & Activity Pack you will find:

✔️ Easy, ready-to-use craft activities
✔️ Creative projects that encourage imagination and self-expression
✔️ Simple ideas that work well for a wide age range
✔️ Activities that provide calm and connection during uncertain seasons
✔️ Low-prep options for busy foster and adoptive families

Whether your child is preparing for a new classroom, adjusting to a new routine, or simply needing a creative outlet, these activities can provide a simple way to connect and remind them they are supported.

Big transitions do not always require big solutions. Sometimes a little creativity, a little patience, and a little time together can help a child feel safe, seen, and loved.

Do you know someone that is thinking of fostering? We would love it if you would forward this email to them so they can sign up!

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